Zero tolerance for faults on traffic

Your nightmarish ride on the city roads because of faulty traffic signals may end as the government wants to convert Capital’s traffic signals into an ‘almost zero tolerance’ for faults—a model system for the entire country.

The model, according Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), would work on a principle of ‘almost zero tolerance’ of traffic signal failures and having the entire city traffic system under 24-hour monitoring.

In a presentation made to Planning Commission, the government has proposed integration of new technologies, better-trained personnel and simulating signal system for smooth flow of traffic in the city. “We are looking at around the clock system where response time for a traffic signal failure is just a few minutes,” a commission official said.

With Commonwealth Games 2010 as the target for installation of the system, Delhi Police is likely to get additional funds for induction of new technology and upgradation of training from the next financial year. As against Rs 125 crore in 2004-05, MHA has asked for Rs 183.50 crore for Delhi Police for the year 2007-08. “A good amount of additional funds will have to be utilised to improve the traffic light system,” the official said.

Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Qamar Ahmed told HT they were looking at three major areas for hassle-free signal system in Delhi. First, fibre connectivity for all signals for live monitoring of junctions in a control room at Teen Murti. Second, ensuring a particular traffic flow movement for each signal.

Third, to bring area of the Commonweath Games under the Automated Traffic Control system, now covering 102 traffic signals. ATC is a computerised system where sensors are installed under the road to gauge traffic congestion. The sensors sends a message detailing traffic flow to a main computer, which, in turn, regulates the signal, accordingly.

Traffic police also wants a dedicated power cable from discoms for the signals to meet the ‘almost zero tolerance’ target. The plan is a challenge, Ahmed admits, as he says, the capital has country’s biggest traffic signal system covering 700 intersections.

Delhi Police has also been asked to prepare model-training programmes for police force in the country.